Paris Fashion Week: 5 Takeaways That Were the Talk of the Front Row

A noticeably absent Kim Kardashian, French politics and of-the-moment headgear were the buzz in the City of Light.

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Nicki Replaced Kim K.

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One outcome of the Kim Kardashian jewel heist in October was a gaping hole in the front row at Balmain and Balenciaga. The week saw brand faces Rihanna at Dior, Pharrell and Lily-Rose Depp at Chanel and a pasty-sporting Nicki Minaj (above) at Haider Ackermann. That's one way to get attention.

French Politics Have Drama, Too

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The April 23 presidential election could usher in anti-immigration candidate Marine Le Pen, who has style opinions of her own. "France is not burkinis on the beach; France is Brigitte Bardot," she said on 60 Minutes, adding she'd also ban religious headscarves, yarmulkes and turbans.

Headgear Is Having a Moment

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Following the "Make America New York Again" baseball caps on the Public School runway in New York City and designer-knit pussy hats at Missoni in Milan, revolutionary-style black berets were a la mode in Paris at Dior. The runways at Kenzo on March 1 featured neon yellow balaclavas (above).

Yes, White After Labor Day

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Forget the "no white after Labor Day" rule. White shoes and boots were all over the fall runways. Particularly chic were the white booties at Celine, where they played off a black pantsuit (below), and at Vanessa Seward, where white peep-toe, ankle-strap pumps with sheer black stockings purred a '70s sex-kitten vibe.

Musings About the Met Ball

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On the Comme Des Garcons runway in Paris, designer Rei Kawakubo obfuscated bodies in shape-shifting forms (above). Will attendees of the May 1 gala in her honor — including co-hosts Katy Perry and Gisele Bundchen — dare to don such designs on fashion's biggest red carpet?